St. John's University Athletics
SJU's Zaug Signs Free Agent
Contract with ChiSox
6/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Zaug is the sixth Red Storm player to either be drafted or signed as a free agent, joining junior Kevin McGerry (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) - fourth round, Oakland Athletics ; senior second baseman Matt Galante (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) - 13th round, St. Louis Cardinals, junior Keith Stamler (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) - 18th round, Texas Rangers; senior Pete Graham (Horseheads, N.Y./Wall [N.J.]) - 22nd round, Chicago Cubs; and senior shortstop Anthony Sutter (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville), who signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees. Kevin Cust (Flemington, N.J./Immaculata), who signed a letter-of-intent to attend St. John's last fall, was taken by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round (340th pick overall). In two years at St. John's, Zaug posted a 7-5 record with a 5.54 earned run average. Zaug, who transferred to St. John's after spending his freshman season at Lamar University in Texas, appeared as a reliever during his time on campus. He allowed 63 earned runs in 102.2 innings pitched, walked 24 batters and struck out 79.
"It didn't matter where, when or how much, I just wanted a chance to play," Zaug said. "The last three days were pretty miserable, not hearing my name called, I'll admit that. But I was just so happy when I got the call. I'm excited and happy. This is something I've wanted for a long time."
This season, as the Red Storm finished 29-22 overall, Zaug went 2-3 with a 4.22 ERA, throwing 42.2 innings, walking 11 and striking out 33 batters. As a sophomore, Zaug was a valuable member of a staff that led St. John's to the BIG EAST Championship game. During the 1999 season, he went 5-2 with a 6.45 ERA, walking 13 and striking out 46 in 60 innings pitched.
"Kevin's been a valuable part of this program for two years," St. John's Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer said. "I know this is something he's really been hoping for and I know he was disappointed about not getting drafted, but he's going to get a chance to play professional baseball and you just want to wish him the very best."
Zaug will depart for the White Sox minor league training camp in Tucson, Arizona on Monday and will be assigned to a team following the workouts.